Rentenreform: Droht bald eine Kündigung statt der Altersteilzeit?

The Rentenreform proposal, outlined in 33 recommendations by the Rentenkommission, may soon result in an end to the partial retirement period rather than an increase in the retirement age. Specifically, the retirement age for partial retirement from 55 years to 58 years is to be raised, and then it will coincide with the retirement age limit.

Moreover, "partial retirement in the block model should no longer be possible" is the plan. These changes aim to reduce incentives for early retirement and keep more older people in employment. However, the proposal has barely made a splash in public debate. Instead, loud discussions are centered around the planned abolition of the non-reduced early retirement, or "retirement at 63" in colloquial terms.

Additionally, plans for a new capital pension have caused a stir. Nonetheless, the significant reduction in partial retirement would have far-reaching consequences. Currently, the model that effectively allows for an early retirement start with significantly less financial loss is widely used. So what would the plans mean, and how could major disruptions be avoided?

First criticism of the plans is already loud, albeit calm. Barbara Resch, District Leader of the IG Metall trade union in Baden-Württemberg, says that the partial retirement in the block model is crucial for the necessary adjustments to be socially acceptable during the industry transformation. "It is the most socially friendly tool we have in the industrial restructuring," she explains. She adds that "abandoning this instrument risks significantly harsher cuts."